Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Vol State Welcomes FEMA

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is available at Vol State seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the carpeted dining room to benefit middle Tenn. flood victims.

"We stay while the people of Tenn. need us.We help people with the application process for FEMA,” said Sandy Ramsey, Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Manger.

As you enter the carpeted dining room there is a registration table and several stations set up.

There are application services to aid in the application process for those seeking assistance.

“Whenever FEMA is at a site due to a disaster DHS (The Department of Human Services) is usually called to be there as well.The person has to apply for FEMA and provide us a registration number.We can supplement their food stamps for the max amount,” said Yvette P. Garrett, Tenn. DHS Field Management Director 1.

“In order to qualify for cash assistance they (flood victims) have to have suffered property damage,” Garrett continues.

Garrett said, “It is really designed for Sumner County residents but we have seen some overflow from Davidson County.”

According to Garrett DHS could stay at Vol State up to the amount of time that FEMA is here or as needed.“During this disaster period our office hours are 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and our regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.,” she said.

Ramsey talks about how she loves her job.“I love it.There are a lot of good people in FEMA or they wouldn’t be here.We live away from our families.We miss all the holidays because we are out doing disaster work.You get to work for a lot of really caring, loving people,” she said.

Ramsey said she has worked for FEMA for several years.

The Sumner County DHS office is located on 393 Maple Street Suite 200 Gallatin, TN 37066.